FIRST Minister Carwyn Jones has accused the UK Government of “financial chicanery” after Wales received less than a third of new money given to Scotland following last week’s Autumn Statement.

FIRST Minister Carwyn Jones has accused the UK Government of “financial chicanery” after Wales received less than a third of new money given to Scotland following last week’s Autumn Statement.

Speaking at an end-of-term briefing for journalists at the Senedd, Mr Jones said: “I understand today – hallelujah – that we will be getting a net total of £22m in revenue. What I can’t quite understand is why Wales is getting £22m while Scotland is getting £69m – three times as much.

“Policing – which is a non-devolved area [in Wales] – has been hit very hard here.

“But policing in Scotland is a devolved area and that should impact on the Scottish consequential – yet it doesn’t seem to have done so.

“There appears to be some financial chicanery going on here, and we want to get to the bottom of it.”

The First Minister said it had taken eight days for notification of the amount to come through from the Treasury.

Previously, details had been disclosed on the same day as the Autumn Statement.

He said: “Next week sees the publication of a number of economic statistics – employment data, GVA and retain price indices.

“We know with the daily release of statistics and the seemingly endless media reports about what is facing the global economy, it is imperative we remember that behind the statistics there are individuals and families who are struggling to cope. Where we do control levers to support the economy, we will continue to use them to their full effect, delivering help when it is required and support when it’s needed.

“I’m painfully aware of the difficulties families in Wales will be facing over the Christmas period.

“I’m also fully aware of the need to give our children in Wales and young people the best start in life.

“That’s the best Christmas present, of course, that we can give.

“That’s why we will be doing everything we can to support individuals through improved skills and jobs and create business confidence in the Welsh economy.

“We don’t control all the levers, of course, but that doesn’t mean that we just sit back and allow changes at a UK level to impact adversely on the people of Wales.

“I continue to bang the door of No.10 to ensure the people of Wales are not disadvantaged by UK government policy.

“We already have in place a coherent package of measures.

“We want to support the economy to help individuals and to enhance the skills base of our children and young people.

“We’re prioritising actions which will have an immediate impact on jobs and a lasting impact on the economy.

“In the new year we will be introducing proposals that will strengthen skills and increase infrastructure investment in areas like schools and housebuilding, stimulating demand, boosting business activity and generating confidence in Wales plc.”

He rejected allegations from the opposition that he was guilty of “two years of inaction” since becoming First Minister exactly two years ago.

Asked by the Western Mail how he would use fiscal powers if he had them, Mr Jones said he would like Wales as a first package to be able to vary landfill tax, the aggregates levy, stamp duty and air passenger duty.

“Stamp duty would be an important tool for us in stimulating house sales and the economy.

“The ability to vary air passenger duty would be a useful tool.

“There’s no point in us taking fiscal powers if we’re not prepared to lower them.”

A Whitehall source said: “We are getting very tired of the First Minister’s constant moans about the amount of money given to Wales by the Treasury.

“Yesterday he was saying there wasn’t enough in the capital allocation and now he’s complaining about revenue.

“He should stop behaving like an opposition and show some leadership.

“He has plenty of money at his disposal and instead of complaining should make spending decisions in the interests of the people of Wales.”